Stockholm, CA: Music by Sweden, Weather by California

Autumn is upon us in Los Angeles, and you know what that means – palm trees, shorts, and sunshine (still). However, a wave of coolness descended upon otherwise hot Downtown LA on Saturday as Swedish music blasted.

Stockholm, CA is the first all-Swedish music festival to take place outside of Scandinavia. The music festival was held at The Shrine located Downtown and featured a number of top tier bands, musicians, and DJs who flew in from Sweden. For headliner Little Dragon, it was the only show they played the whole year.

Going around the festival felt like being in a sea of tall, blue-eyed blondes. Stockholm, CA was welcoming to those of all backgrounds, but spoke particularly to the Scandinavian population that has found their way over to Los Angeles.

Stockholm, CA’s lineup included Little Dragon, Icona Pop, Rebecca & Fiona, Elliphant, Veronica, Maggio, Mapei, Otto Knows, Salvatore Ganacci, Nause, and AronChupa. The variety of genres – from rock to electronica to indie alternative to rave – made for a perfect blend that appeals to any kind of listener.

Aside from music, the festival also boasted creative art displays, Swedish beer, traditional Swedish coffee, all-vegetarian food, and even a giveaway to win a free trip to Sweden. There certainly was not a lack of things to be seen, heard, or tasted.

While the sounds of Sweden filled the venue, thankfully no heavy coats and fur-lined boots were to be found. The music festival’s tagline reads “Music by Sweden, weather by California” – a cheeky motto that couldn’t be any more accurate.